Ghana swimming chief suspended for abuse of power

The Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) has suspended its president, Theophilus Wilson Edzie, for abuse of power.

Mr. Edzie has been barred from holding his office “until the Disciplinary Committee of the Association completes its investigation” regarding his alleged involvement in the 2018 Commonwealth Games visa scandal that recently rocked the nation.

A letter to the indicted Swimming chief, signed by General Secretary Mohammed Muniru Kassim, stated that preliminary investigations by the Board needs answers to the addition of 16 more names to the original 10 settled on by the Association prior to the Games.

Edzie, who doubles as a Treasurer at the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), is also to provide answers to allegations of booking accommodation for 11 persons not known by the swimming fraternity for a travel to Australia to inspect swimming facilities

He is also accused of facilitating the travels of his relatives to Australia in the name of the Ghana Swimming Association and as well creating a private email for dealings with some entities in Australia without the consent of the Swimming Association’s Board.

Theophilus Edzie’s suspension, according to the Ghana Swimming Association, is in line with Article C12.13 and C12.2 of the constitution of the global swimming body, FINA.

Background

Days before the commencement of the 21stCommonwealth Games in Australia, news broke that some 60 Ghanaians had been detained and deported for acting as journalists.

The global embarrassment caught the attention of government, with president of the Republic, Nana Akfo-Addo suspending Deputy Sports Minister Pius Enam Hadzide, the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Robert Sarfo-Mensah and subsequently his Board Chairman Kwadwo Baah-Agyeman.

Since the end of the Games, rumours keep unfolding of various actions taken by some officials and athletes. The Badminton Association earlier this week confirmed two players – Gifty Mensah and Stella Koteikai Amasah absconded from camp midway into the Games.